In a nutshell Because of Michigan’s harsh winter and historical under-funding, roads across the state are crumbling before our eyes. Next week Governor Snyder will sign a bill to send an additional $175 million in one-time funds to state and local roads...

Public and private service delivery each offer distinct advantages and challenges, and no delivery model is without trade-offs. Good governance is exemplified when public leaders move beyond personal preferences to carefully consider the best method for m...

In a nutshell: The local government fiscal structure is plagued by a number of problems; chief among them is inefficiency that results from the fact that the majority of services are delivered at the most local level of government (i.e., city and township...

Editor’s note: This appeared in the Detroit News on February 22, 2018. In a nutshell: Michigan’s local government revenue structure does not respond to economic changes, so local governments are not benefiting from the expansion that has occurred ...

Editor’s note: A shorter version of this appeared in the Detroit Free Press on February 11, 2018. In a nutshell: Michigan’s governance model for its flagship universities and all universities is fairly unique The current model of electing boar...

In a nutshell: Slow growth is the new normal Stronger economy = more sales tax revenue = more money for schools Some fresh cash for road repairs, but at the General Fund’s expense Governor Rick Snyder officially kicked off the state budget process b...

In a nutshell: Federal tax reform expands 529 college savings plans to include private K-12 tuition Michigan’s state constitution prohibits public aid to private schools Michigan families will not receive state tax breaks for saving for private K-12...

In a nutshell: Federal tax reform removed Michigan’s personal exemption The Legislature wants to restore and increase the exemption Budget concerns could create problems When President Trump signed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act[1] (TCJA) into law, it ...

This guest column was featured in the January 25, 2018 Lansing State Journal Gov. Rick Snyder’s eighth and final State of the State address was very much a swan song, contrasting today’s Michigan to the one he inherited in 2011 – short on new initia...

On January 11th, federal health officials gave the go-ahead for states to experiment with new work requirements in the Medicaid program through Section 1115 demonstrations. This change represents a dramatic shift in federal policy for the 50-year-o...